Independent Pilot Competition

SeriesFest’s Independent Pilot Competition was launched in 2015 to help diversify the current television landscape by shining a spotlight on emerging voices and stories. This competition offers independent episodic artists with the unique opportunity to screen their 18-60 minute drama, comedy, unscripted, or animated television pilots in front of an audience of major industry players, network executives, and fans at our annual Denver-based festival. Many SeriesFest Official Selections and winners have gone on to receive representation, development deals, production grants, and distribution.

SUBMISSIONS

Please carefully review the deadlines, material requirements, and guidelines listed below and our FilmFreeway page. Fill out your applications and get your projects in before the final deadline. Have questions? Check out our Submission FAQs or email us at info@seriesfest.com. 

OFFICIAL SELECTIONS

Once submissions are closed, our team of experienced producers, writers, programmers, and filmmakers carefully reviews each application and pilot to narrow it down to a select group of comedies, dramas, and unscripted series representing the highest reviewed submissions in each category. Official Selections to be screened at SeriesFest: Season 9. Official Selections are determined on the basis of the following elements:

• Originality and creativity
• Overall quality of all elements & aspects of the production of each entry, including, without limitation, writing, acting, directing, editing, etc.
• Adherence to and appropriateness for a particular format or type of program
• The ability to develop story through a first season and thorough drafting of the arc

WINNERS & PRIZES

Official Selections are up for the following awards: 

• Best Pilot Award for Drama, Comedy, and Unscripted category
• Best Performance
• Best Director 
• Best Writer 
• Audience Award

Winners will be determined by a jury of high-profile industry and talent during the annual festival and recognized with an award at our Awards Ceremony, included in our media announcement and showcased on our website. Past jurors include Kim Catrall, Nina Dobrev, Laura Fischer (PowderKeg), Dade Hayes (Deadline), Travis Tammero (CAA), Susan Lewis (Starz), Alison Wasserman (HBO), Chaka Pilgrim (Roc Nation). Scroll down to see the complete list of last year’s jurors and winners. Pilots in this competition are also eligible for the Level Forward Impact Award. 

Thanks to our Official Partner Company 3, the “Best of” category winners will be awarded $25,000 of in-kind post-production services to be applied to their episodic project. 

CAZ MATTHEWS FUND

Driven by a mission to champion filmmakers whose projects promote tolerance, acceptance, and inclusivity in the television landscape, The Caz Matthews Fund provides financial contributions to qualifying SeriesFest independent content creators. Each year, SeriesFest curates a short list of projects which have been accepted as official selections for the festival that meet the Caz Matthews Fund requirements. The SeriesFest team then collaborates with Caz to interview and identify creators to receive a one-time financial donation from the Caz Matthews Fund, subject to granting a special credit to SeriesFest, for that particular work.

ADDITIONAL OFFER

Those submitting independent pilots to SeriesFest: Season 9 who are currently entering or in the post-production phase are eligible to receive 15% discount on post-production services with our Official IPC sponsor Company 3. For more information, email sponsorships@company3.com.

KEY DATES & FEES

	Earlybird Deadline NOV 17, 2022	Regular Deadline JAN 06, 2023	Final Deadline FEB 15, 2023
Standard	$50	$70	$100
FilmFreeway Gold Member	$40	$55	$85
Student	$30	$35	$45

ENTRY MATERIALS

Produced Pilot
Submitted via FilmFreeway’s Secure Online Screener system. All entries must be between 18 and 60 minutes in length.

Press Kit Material
Any available press kit material.

INCLUSION INITIATIVE WAIVER APPLICATION

SeriesFest, in partnership with the Royal Bank of Canada, is launching a sequence of opportunities to make our festival more accessible for all content creators and to celebrate a commitment to diversity and equity, including a waiver for submissions. Pilots applying for the Independent Pilot, Digital Short Series, Late Night, and Collegiate Spotlight competitions have the opportunity to apply for a submission waiver.

Need more information? Questions?